RTRP Program Suspended - Answers to Your Questions

As you are probably aware, on January 18, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a permanent injunction preventing the IRS from enforcing the RTRP regulations. On Wednesday January 23, the Justice Department, on behalf of the IRS, filed a motion to suspend the injunction pending resolution of the appeal that the IRS intends to file. On January 28, the Plaintiffs filed opposition to the IRS motion to suspend the injunction.

With all of these injunctions, motions, and oppositions you probably have questions about your participation in the RTRP program. Here are answers to some of those questions.


Will I still have to take the RTRP test? – No. At this time the RTRP test is no longer required. As such, the test is no longer offered by Prometrics. However, the Department of Justice, on behalf of the IRS, has filed a motion to suspend the judge’s ruling pending the IRS’s appeal. Stay tuned. The test may be reinstated in the future.


Will I still have to complete 15 hours of continuing education (CE)? – The answer is no, unless you are an EA, CPA or attorney. However, if you prepare individual federal income tax returns, in my opinion, it is in your and your client’s best interest to learn about the new tax laws and regulations affecting 2012 filings. CE is not currently mandatory for RTRPs, and any option to proceed with registering for or participating in a CE program is strictly voluntary.


Do I have to renew my PTIN to prepare tax returns for 2012? – We don’t know at this time. However, the IRS posted the following message on their Facebook page on January 29:


Currently we are working diligently to resolve issues surrounding the issuance of Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTINs) for the filing season. Additional information will be provided shortly as to how to obtain PTINs.


May I schedule a date to take the RTRP test? – No. The Federal Judge’s ruling has effectively closed the RTRP testing and registration process for the time being.


I am scheduled to take the RTRP test later this year, can I still take the exam? – No, not at this time. The Prometric testing system for RTRPs has been suspended until further notice. They have indicated that you will be notified when additional information is available.


I have already received my RTRP certificate. Can I continue to use the RTRP designation? – The future of the RTRP designation is currently unclear; however, I have seen nothing that would indicate you could not continue to use the RTRP designation if you have passed the exam and received your certificate.

Can I take the RTRP test prep course for CE? – Currently the judge’s order makes continuing education voluntary, but no CE will be awarded.


I expect that if the IRS does not win their appeal, Congress will pass legislation giving them the power to regulate unlicensed tax preparers…but when that might occur is anyone’s guess. What do you think?

Top 10 Ways to Manage Tax Season Stress

Tax season for me was always like a marathon, beginning in mid February and crossing the finish line on April 15. It was long hours, lots of coffee, and plenty of stress. I remember working late nights as the deadline approached and then around 10:00 p.m. on April 15 the managing partner would gather up all of the extensions for those returns we just didn’t have time to complete and made a mad dash for the local post office. So following is my top ten list of ways to reduce or at least manage your tax season stress.

1. Get rid of bad clients. Fire those clients that are not profitable, never have their information to you on time and usually cause you the most stress. We all have them, so do it now before tax season begins.

2. Organize your office. Having a disorganized workspace will only add to your stress, especially when a client calls and you can’t quickly find his or her file.

3. Hire a personal assistant. Having someone who can run errands for you will significantly reduce your stress.

4. Exercise and eat right. You will find that if you eat three healthy meals a day and exercise regularly you will reduce your stress and actually be more productive. But you have to do it consistently.

5. Get to the office early. Come in to the office thirty minutes to an hour before regular office hours. Use this time to get your day organized, respond to e-mail or do research while the office is quiet.

6. Take short breaks. Meditate for five or ten minutes, stand up, do a few exercises or take a walk around the block and just relax. Don’t think about work.

7. Prioritize your tasks. Time consuming but relatively unimportant tasks can consume a lot of your day. Focus on those returns that you can’t delegate to a junior staff person. Don’t jump from one return to another. Try to finish one before you start the next.

8. Set client deadlines. Manage your clients don’t let them manage you. Work on the returns of those clients who meet their deadlines. If the client doesn’t have their data to you when requested, file an extension. Don’t work till midnight to complete the return for a client who did not get his or her information to you when requested.

9. Finish before the deadline. Schedule your clients so that you have time to complete their returns a day or two before April 15. This is a built-in cushion for any unexpected problems and should reduce your level of stress created from last minute crises.

10. Make April 16 and/or April 15 an official holiday. A firm I once worked for made April 16 an official firm holiday. I always looked forward to that holiday as a chance to unwind and think about nothing relating to work.

So, put your running shoes on, see which of these suggestions you can use to reduce your stress level, and look forward to a less stressful tax season.